Orlando in November: book the quiet weeks and get the holidays early

The three weeks that matter

November splits into three parts. The first week is usually calm, with Halloween over and holiday travel not yet started. Veterans Day weekend often brings a modest bump, especially from families with school off. The weeks between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are usually quiet, mild and well priced. Then Thanksgiving week arrives, and the parks fill to near holiday levels. If you can, avoid that one week.

Thanksgiving itself is usually a little lighter at the parks than the days around it, since many people spend it at the table. The Friday and Saturday after, though, are some of the busiest days of the fall. Black Friday traffic near the outlet malls and International Drive adds to the jam.

Dry, mild and early dark

Highs usually run 76 to 82°F, with lows of 56 to 63°F. The dry season is usually underway, so rain is rare and the humidity is gone. Hurricane season officially ends November 30, and late storms are uncommon. Daylight saving time usually ends in early November, and sunset moves to about 5:30 p.m. That means fireworks and holiday lights start earlier in the evening, which suits families with young kids.

This is also the best walking weather of the year so far. Long days at the parks are no longer exhausting, and you can stay outside through lunch instead of retreating to the hotel. Pack a day in a park you skipped in summer because of the heat.

Usually on this month

• Holiday decorations usually go up at the major parks in early November, right after Halloween.
• Disney's Christmas party nights usually begin in early November at Magic Kingdom.
• Universal's holiday celebration usually opens in mid-to-late November.
• EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival usually wraps up in mid-to-late November, and the holiday festival usually opens right after.
• Manatee season at Blue Spring usually begins in mid-November, and swimming in the spring run usually closes for the winter.

See Christmas in Orlando for the full holiday picture.

A mid-November week, in order

1. Do your park days early in the week, Monday to Wednesday, when waits are shortest.
2. Book one evening at a holiday party or a holiday light show.
3. Spend a day at Kennedy Space Center, where the cool air makes the outdoor exhibits easy.
4. On a cold morning, check Blue Spring for the first manatees of the season.
5. Close the trip with a long bike ride on the paved trails or a walk around Lake Eola.

Packing for the in-between

Short sleeves and shorts for the afternoon. Long pants and a sweater for the evening, especially late in the month, when nights can dip into the 50s. Bring sunscreen; the sun is still strong. A light jacket helps for evening parades. Swimsuits are optional, since some pools start to feel cool. Pack one anyway if your hotel heats its pool; a warm afternoon swim in November is one of the small pleasures of the month.

Water parks are the one casualty of the cooler weather. Some reduce hours or close for refurbishment in the cooler months, so if a water park is on your list, check its calendar first.

Prices and booking tips

Hotel prices usually climb steadily from early November toward Thanksgiving. The weeks before the holiday are usually a good deal, and it is a rare month where the weather is this good and the prices are still moderate. Book Thanksgiving week months ahead if you must travel then, and expect high hotel, flight and rental car prices. Thanksgiving dinner reservations at park and resort restaurants usually book up early, so plan that meal as soon as your dates are set.

If you want a holiday party night, buy early. Christmas party tickets are priced by date and usually cost less in early November than in December. They also sell out on popular nights, especially weekends after Thanksgiving.